Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

[oceansbreeze]

so it seems they opened the dam on the other side of the lake, thus dropping the water level overnight..... and nobody said nothing about it.....

I backed into my ramp, the same I've used all summer with no problems... I was backed down to the usual place...water about halfway up rear tires. boat wasn't floating. I proceeded to back in a bit farther, determined to launch, since I just launched 2 days before with no issues... Now I was in deeper than ever, first I ever noticed the ramp kinda straightens out a bit, but the van was still "down" I hopped on the trailer tongue and bouncing around tryign to shove off the boat to no avail. Got it maybe 6 inches off the bow stop, then decided, no way am I gonna get this in later, so I may as well give up now. Latched on, winched it on, and drove out.

I will mention while on the tongue, the water was up to the bumper. I am guessing, while "bouncing" around on the tongue to push off, I may have been taking on water as I did so..

While driving home, the first issues started. The dome lights were flickering on and off. The "check trunk" light would "ding" and go on and off.

Parked boat, unhooked - popped trunk, and well the carpet was wet. Ok, so I removed stuff from the trunk. The floor by the rear banch was wet, so out came the bench. I remembered what I had read here about "electrical" damage, and shorts from vehicles that have been totally submerged, and while I wasn't submerged, it wasn't the dryest place either..

Out came the carpet, out came the insulation. Out came the little plastic covers on the wires and cables.... I mopped up the river of water... and hung the carpet over seats to dry.

2 hours later, (premature) went for a quick spin, seemed ok, I was happy. Spaceheater put inside for the night, and it seemed ok on the way to work. Other than needing to dry a bit more, figured all was well.

Just got in from some deliveries, this time, a "ding" sound going on (nothing lit up on the dash) .... and the power locks kept locking.

I spoke to Chrysler, and he said, it should dry, give it a few days...

Man, I'm worried, looking for input. I'll be gone out of town for the weekend, so I can leave the space heater - any other advice for me at all? thoughts?

The vehicle is a 2000 Dodge Caravan. (even whacked as it is, I'm gonna use it to launch on another lake tonight...) hehe... determination!!

 

[pmat1]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

I guess i dodged a bullet when my trooper rolled into the lake. even the ecu was submerged and still works like a charm.

Let it dry out, there should be no electronics other then wiring at the back.

 

[Splat]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

Well first if your lock are continously locking I would pull the power lock fuse so your not burning out or tripping the thermals on the motors.

Was this salt water or freshwater. If salt any damage is prolly done, but you can try to rinse out the lock mechanisms with fresh water (preferrably distilled). I would pull the lock apart as much as possiable and clean the electronics and mechanisms with fresh water, or a good quick drying contact cleaner like CRC QD Contact cleaner, part number 03095. Make sure there's no power when doing this, pulling the negative battery cabe would be best. Be sure to regrease after cleaning.

Other than that getting it all dry is really all you can do.

BTW even worse than the electronice getting wet If you went in that far is getting water in your rear dif, or axle seals. When driving the bearings and seals create heat, when dunked in cool water they act like little vacume cleaners and suck water in. Water intrusion won't be aparent at first, but may creat huge problems down the road. The only way to check for this is to open up the pumpkin and check the gear oil. Water will cause it to look milky, or frothy.

Imo rear diffs on trucks that launch boats should be serviced every year when the boat is winterized. The likely hood of water intrusion is very high for these vehicles.
Bill

 

[_chris_]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

I had a subaru station wagon that I sunk to halfway up the windows, It sat in the water for about 8 hours before we could get it out. We pulled it and changed the oil and drug it around with a strap in gear to flush out any water and fire up and ran fine, after about a month it was finally dry inside and out and never had a problem.

 

[grahamh]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

I think you're just unlucky, my friend and I used one ramp where we had to be so far in that the front wheels were in the water...but is was a truck, so no rear lock or anythng to mess up.

I'm pretty sure that a caravan is front wheel drive, so no diff to worry about, but do make sure to service your wheel bearings regularly

 

[KRH1326]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

Man, I'm worried, looking for input. I'll be gone out of town for the weekend, so I can leave the space heater - any other advice for me at all? thoughts?

Unattended?

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

Unattended?

Well, I could leave a fire extinguihser nearby.... and a sign that says "reward: for putting out fire!" lol - I'vel eft the heat on in it the last 2 nights, and yesterday while parked at work .... it's taking forever, this insulation is thick and foamy... I'm just thinking low heat, so it stays warm but not hot inside. The heater has a thermosat and shuts off automatically....

The locks were still intermittent last night once, it's hit and miss. To Splat - the water didn't get anywhere near the contacts .... it seems it would have to have been one of the cables or circuits that detect when the vehicle gets to 10km/h when the auto locks go on... Not sure - but I'm no mechanic, I don't see cleaning the lock contacts helping...

I appreciate the input .... this morning driving to work, all seemed well, and hopefully 2 days of drying gets it to the point I can put the carpet and floor / benches back in.... it's more than a hassle at the moment.... cheers

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

I would suggest a combination of high powered fan and dehumidifier than a space heater...just a lot safer!

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

I would suggest a combination of high powered fan and dehumidifier than a space heater...just a lot safer!

+1 on the dehumidifier, I left my windows down over night once with a huge summertime Florida rain storm, 2 days closed up only opening to dump the dehumid and it was good as new

 

[NYBo]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

Did you pop open the access panel on the tailgate to check for water?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

I notice you are in Ontario. I am planning to go to Conestoga Lake next weekend. They did it there a couple of years ago when we were camping a few days before Labor day. One evening all is well, the next morning the lake has dropped between 3 and 5 ft. Made for a tiny lake the next day and many folk dinged up their prop's.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

Could be one of the speed sensors got wet and the van's ecu is reading the wrong speed. This happened with my old truck when I had it up to the bumper....the speed sensors got a little wacky..but then it triggered the ABS warning instead of anything wierd like yours.

Ian

 

[wwcj101]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

find out where the BECM (body electronics control module) is and make sure it isnt wet. you may have to replace it.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Hmm, dunked my van a bit. How bad is this?

find out where the BECM (body electronics control module) is and make sure it isnt wet. you may have to replace it.

Thanks, looks like it is high and dry inside..

update, van sat with window cracked, and space heater and fan blowing friday through sunday. I had a friend down the street check on it every couple hours. cable never got hot, and everything was good.

the main insulation bits I had put in basement were now dry. I reseated cables down floor centre, and covered with the pieces that go on, and with the clips.

I then found some water between the driver/passenger seats .... on TOP of the insulation (between carpet) just wetness.. I've had the insulation peeled back for the heater and fan, so I had to lay it flat now, and get on top of the insulation..

Tomorrow, I hope to get the main carpet back in place in the back end.... as it is all dry...

Now I'm gonna try and dry under the driver/passenger seats better. I think mostly the water up here is from winter and rain moisture...

So far, so good as far as electrical glitches.... no problems today... knock on wood. Thanks for the advice and all!